Gladiators is 25! But where are the stars now?

They were seemingly superhuman powerhouses, forces to be reckoned with – and only occasionally tamed by strict referee John Anderson. Originally hosted by John Fashanu and Ulrika Jonsson, Gladiators launched 25 years ago this month. But where are those man- and woman-mountains now?

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Jet (Diane Youdale)

Jet (Diane Youdale)

Jet was a firm favourite among ardent Gladiators fans and was an original member of the team until she had to pull out in 1996 after suffering a back injury while tackling the Pyramid.

Having amassed a huge young fanbase after the success of Gladiators, Diane went on to become a children's presenter as 'The Games Mistress' on Sky One's former video game series Games World. She also hosted ITV's You Bet! and Finders Keepers.

Diane is a trained psychotherapist and Pilates instructor, and has used the former qualification to analyse Big Brother housemates in the spin-off series Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side and Big Brother's Bit on the Side.

She also once unwittingly left Twilight actor Robert Pattinson "scarred" for life when she failed to turn up to a dog beauty show which he was taking part in as a wee 10-year-old.

"Jet was supposed to be judging it, but she didn't turn up," he joked during an appearance on Nick Grimshaw's Radio 1 Breakfast Show. "It has scarred me with women – I don't trust women any more."

We feel your pain, Robert. We had a similar situation with Pat Sharp.

ITV
/ Rex Features

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Amazon (Sharron Davies)

Amazon (Sharron Davies)

Yes, swimmer Sharron Davies was a Gladiator. She kicked ass as Amazon in 1996. Prior to taking part in the show, the professional swimmer won a silver medal in the 400-metre individual medley at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, and two gold medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.

After pulling out of Gladiators following a knee injury, Sharron continues to provide sports commentary for the BBC, is a patron of several children's charities, and returned to ITV in 2010 for Dancing on Ice.

Jet (Diane Youdale)

Jet was a firm favourite among ardent Gladiators fans and was an original member of the team until she had to pull out in 1996 after suffering a back injury while tackling the Pyramid.

Having amassed a huge young fanbase after the success of Gladiators, Diane went on to become a children's presenter as 'The Games Mistress' on Sky One's former video game series Games World. She also hosted ITV's You Bet! and Finders Keepers.

Diane is a trained psychotherapist and Pilates instructor, and has used the former qualification to analyse Big Brother housemates in the spin-off series Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side and Big Brother's Bit on the Side.

She also once unwittingly left Twilight actor Robert Pattinson "scarred" for life when she failed to turn up to a dog beauty show which he was taking part in as a wee 10-year-old.

"Jet was supposed to be judging it, but she didn't turn up," he joked during an appearance on Nick Grimshaw's Radio 1 Breakfast Show. "It has scarred me with women – I don't trust women any more."

Amazon (Sharron Davies)

Yes, swimmer Sharron Davies was a Gladiator. She kicked ass as Amazon in 1996. Prior to taking part in the show, the professional swimmer won a silver medal in the 400-metre individual medley at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, and two gold medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.

After pulling out of Gladiators following a knee injury, Sharron continues to provide sports commentary for the BBC, is a patron of several children's charities, and returned to ITV in 2010 for Dancing on Ice.

Blaze (Eunice Huthart)

It was a blaze of glory that led Eunice Huthart, a former contender on the show, to be invited back as Gladiator Blaze after overcoming the Travelator to clinch victory as the female champion in 1994. She possessed the power, the courage and the skills (okay, that's enough) to remain the only UK contestant to ever become a Gladiator.

Eunice has gone on to become a successful stunt double. In 1995, she was the double for Famke Janssen in GoldenEye, and since then has performed stunts in major Hollywood blockbusters including The Fifth Element, Titanic, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

She frequently doubles for Angelina Jolie, including the Tomb Raider series, Salt, Mr and Mrs Smith, and more recently was stunt co-ordinator on Maleficent.

Ace (Warren Furman)

Warren Furman featured on Gladiators between 1996 and 2000 as the blonde-haired, bicep-bulging Ace. His other television venture was in BBC's DIY SOS as a temporary replacement in Lowri Turner's team.

Warren was famous for a brief engagement to Katie Price in the late '90s, claiming that the former glamour model constantly humiliated him during their relationship. Back in 2009, he previously told The Sun that Price was "sweet and loving" when they first met, but that changed shortly after her first breast enlargement, and he quoted her as remonstrating him with the fatal line: "You're just a washed-up old Gladiator. I'm more famous than you."

Needless to say, the engagement didn't last for very long.

His former colleague Hunter recently told The Sun: "Ace is now a Christian, he's turned to God. He had some quite horrific things happen in his life, really horrific, so it was either that or probably he wouldn't be around now."

Cobra (Michael Willson)

Don't mess with former boxer and bodybuilder turned Gladiator Cobra. One of the original Gladiators, he famously demonstrated his trademark high kicks and impressive splits as he entered the arena at the start of each episode.

Cobra was also known as the joker of the group, pulling faces at the referees, contestants and fans, donning silly wigs and performing crazed monkey impressions on a whim. Master of both humour and the Hang Tough rings, Cobra remains one of the all-time Gladiator favourites.

Michael currently resides in the West Midlands, and enjoys watercolours in his spare time. Following his Gladiators success, he visited youth clubs and schools across the country to promote fitness.

Hunter (James Crossley)

Blond, curly-haired bodybuilder James Crossley joined the Gladiators as the handsome Hunter in 1993, staying with the show until 2000. He went on to win the prestigious title of Ultimate Gladiator after competing against fellow male gladiators in 1999.

The sexual chemistry between Hunter and the show's presenter Ulrika Jonsson was palpable, and the pair went on to date briefly in the mid-1990s. You may also remember his cameo appearance in Emmerdale's Christmas special of '95, at the height of his Gladiators fame.

Crossley went on to train as an actor, and toured with Sir Peter Hall in Shakespeare's As You Like It in both the UK and the US (2003-2004). He's also worked with John Godber's renowned Hull Truck theatre company, and in 2010 appeared on stage in Godber's Up 'n' Under. He still works as a health and fitness specialist.

Lightning (Kim Betts)

Former British gymnast and speedy, leotard-clad Lightning was one of the toughest Gladiators and remained undefeated in the UK arena. So tough and determined was our Lightning that she competed in the Gladiators arena in 1999 just three weeks after giving birth to her first child. Hardcore.

Kim made a welcome return to Gladiators for its 2008 revamp in a Legends special, competing alongside fellow former Gladiators Flame, Rebel, Rocket, Ace, Hunter, Trojan and Wolf against the new Gladiators for charity.

She also presented children's show Room 785, which aired on the British Forces Broadcasting Service TV for Her Majesty's Armed Forces worldwide.

Panther (Helen O'Reilly)

Fearsome feline Panther struck fear into her opponents as she slinked on stage to the theme tune of Janet Jackson's 'Black Cat'.

After the success of Gladiators, the former champion bodybuilder, who previously reigned as Miss North Britain, Miss England, Miss Great Britain, Miss Russia and Miss Universe, now runs her own gym. Called Panthers Gym, obviously.

Smith also appeared in Ben Affleck's Oscar-winning drama Argo (2012), and Nicolas Cage's The Frozen Ground (2013). The bodybuilder and actor even appeared on EastEnders in 2005, guest-starring as Johnson, and has TV credits including Robin Hood, Trial and Retribution and TNT's The Last Ship to his name.